The Great Escape

Hot and frustrated Redrock wondered.

How much longer is he going to stand there staring into my eyes, does he really think he is looking into my soul?

Is he gloating, or does he have an inkling of my plan to escape, the longer he stays, the more difficult this becomes? The leather thongs are shrinking tighter and I'm so glad to have had some time in a hot tub, to absorb extra moisture in my skin. Of course, wearing long pants and boots also helps keep the moisture in.

Well at least he's keeping the crows at bay, but never mind it'll be getting dark shortly, and he'll be gone soon, as he won't want to be around here then. Doesn't it makes you want to laugh, knowing the one most afraid of evil spirits is a medicine man?

I'm hoping he can see the smile in my eyes because he's made it impossible for me to utter a single word, through this mask of death he's put over my face. Having said that, it's some celestial sight from up here, I can see the moon and stars, shining brightly as the sun quickly sets in the west.

Finally, the arrogant chump bids me farewell, if only he knew I wasn't planning on taking the journey he had in mind. I sense the motion as he climbs down from the burial platform to scuttle off home when I'm surprised to find he's not alone, as he begins chatting with a group of previously silent Braves.

Oh dear, that wasn't part of my plan, thankfully my fear's are short-lived, as they're only here to help him mount his pony, then to my relief, they canter off.

With great difficulty, I slip a razor from the waistband of my pants and carefully use it to free my hands, from the ever-tightening grip of the leather thongs, cautiously removing the tattered leather wraps, not causing any obvious damage, for I'm not done with them yet.

The pins and needles, fierce and painful, cause me to tumble from the platform, landing with a bump on the sandy ground below. Looking up from the ground I'm overwhelmed by the presence of a black figure of a snarling Jaguar, I've been close to death many times and thought this was mine, instinctively shutting my eyes in anticipation of the final bite. But the closest I came to death was from the feeling of embarrassment, as two men began to laugh, it was the clowns Jasper and Jujube, who'd been sent to help me by Rue.

I'm soon able to stand and dust myself down and didn't appreciate it when my sorry sight that made them laugh louder, pointing at my bare-chest, pants and boots. But, there's no time to slack, there is much to do, and my first task is to get Enso's desiccated carcass from a nearby cave. I couldn't afford to drag it across the ground, leaving them Injun tracker's, messages, so I slung the rancid thing over my shoulder and humped it to the burial platform alone, a little help from the clowns would have been nice, but none was offered.

In the dark, it was a challenge to get the body all bound, gagged and neatly wrapped in the now crisping leather. What I did next wasn't pleasant, but it was nothing his miserable life didn't deserve. I gauged out his eyes, cut my hand and drizzled blood around his empty eye sockets.

I went back to the cave and returned carrying a saddle and water bags, across my shoulders, in my hand, I held a leather pouch, it contained a letter and a sack of the finest gold nuggets, in this form they're worth more than any known currency.

I gave Jujube and Jasper, specific instructions to make sure this got to Rue, or they should fear for their lives, no matter what spell they were under. In return, they provided me with a rather wretched-looking donkey, my clothes and a glowing stone from Rue, which she said, would become the light that shows you my way. Knowing what we know, this was the most precious of gifts for which any man could ask.

Tell Rue, she knows how I'll keep in touch, but remember from now on, 'Redrock Bill' must remain dead.

I mounted the donkey, gave thanks for "the help" and bade them so long when one of them suddenly offered me a sombrero, saying it would protect me from the sun. I gave them a wry smile and refused the offer, there was something sinister about it and set off into the dark. I headed toward the forbidden wilds, to the location of my secret log cabin, from where I would begin my journey to New Orleans.